M&P22 Issues

[Optimus Prime]

Took the girlfriend's new M&P22 out to the range for the second time today, and right out of the case had issues.

Sunday, fired about 300 rounds flawlessly, today, numerous failure to fire with no primer strikes. Field stripped it, and it seems like the firing pin return spring has lost its "spring." The rear of the firing pin is only coming back on it's own to about even with the rear of the bolt, so the hammer isn't contacting it. If I tip the slide back, or push on the front of the firing pin it goes all the way back, so it's not obstructed.

It was pretty chilly this morning (15-20F) but I don't think that's enough to mess with a spring's springiness.

Anybody else run into this? Should I just get in contact with S&W and get a shipping label?

 

[Old cop]

I don't own this model but I can tell you that S&W customer service is good. Call them for a shipping label. This is a fairly new gun and may not have all the kinks worked out yet.

 

[Optimus Prime]

I'm familiar with S&W's service... my 15-22 blew up last year and they fixed it fast.

The bigger problem was how to tell the girl her new pistol broke after she let us borrow it... (I'm pretty sure I won't be on the couch tonight though.)

I wish the bolt assembly wasn't pinned into the slide though, otherwise I'd just take it apart myself. I don't want to try it and crack the zinc-alloy slide.

 

[EvilBetty]

So your FTFs have no strike marks on them at all?

 

[Optimus Prime]

So your FTFs have no strike marks on them at all?

None at all.

 

[jgreiner]

Took the girlfriend's new M&P22 out to the range for the second time today, and right out of the case had issues.

Sunday, fired about 300 rounds flawlessly, today, numerous failure to fire with no primer strikes. Field stripped it, and it seems like the firing pin return spring has lost its "spring." The rear of the firing pin is only coming back on it's own to about even with the rear of the bolt, so the hammer isn't contacting it. If I tip the slide back, or push on the front of the firing pin it goes all the way back, so it's not obstructed.

It was pretty chilly this morning (15-20F) but I don't think that's enough to mess with a spring's springiness.

Anybody else run into this? Should I just get in contact with S&W and get a shipping label?

Just out of curiosity, is it heavily greased from the factory? If so, and the grease wasn't cleaned out, and the temp was very cold, that could account for the stiffness. Just a thought.......

 

[Optimus Prime]

Just out of curiosity, is it heavily greased from the factory? If so, and the grease wasn't cleaned out, and the temp was very cold, that could account for the stiffness. Just a thought.......

I was thinking that, and swapped it for the 9mm that was in my IWB holster to try and warm it up, but was still having the same issue after an hour of being next to my skin.

When I get off work I'm going to pull it apart and take a look again before contacting S&W.

 

[FDE]

I would definitely try to clean it before getting a return label. My M&P22 came out of the box like it was dunked in a bucket of grease. It took awhile to get it cleaned out of the internals and of course lightly lubed. Hope you find an easy fix!

 

[Brass Nuggets]

FWIW, I have at least 4-5k rounds through mine using CCI ammo. Not a single failure to date.

I also concur with the greasy mess... took a few cleaning session degunk the goo. S&W really should address this issue.

I didn't see any comment on ammo used? From what I've seen reported, most stuff works. I can't comment on the cheaper ammo, I don't use it.

 

[jerrybruce]

When I got mine a couple of weeks ago, I was expecting to have a massive cleanup. Instead I was surprised at how clean mine was. A simple wipe down with a solvent took care of the viewable internals.

I have 400 rounds of CCI through mine and yesterday I found a box of Federal 550 bulk at a local Walmart. I plan to shoot a few hundred rounds of that tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[Optimus Prime]

200 rounds of CCI Mini-mags and 100 or so of Federal bulk pack stuff.

After sitting the house for a couple days, it's still not returning to it's correct location, but the firing pin moves freely that last 8th of an inch, so I'm about 98% certain it's not a grease issue.

 

[jerrybruce]

I put 300 rds of Federal 550 bulk through mine today.

I had absolutely no problems with the 400 CCI mini mags that I first put through the piece. But with the Federal I had 10 FTE/FTFs. It wasn't because the piece was getting dirty as the failures were spread over the 300 rds. I noticed the piece was a little dirtier after using the Federal as opposed to the much cleaner CCI.

Overall, I suppose the price savings on the Federal (around half the cost of the mini mags) may offset the failures as long as the failure rate doesn't get worse.

I want to note that since my wife is the primary user of this piece, I thought her consistently shooting 4-5 inches left at 7 yards was due to her learning how to shoot. But once I started to use it, I found the rear sight needed a considerable adjustment. It wasn't loose, just misaligned. Once I made the adjustment, I was consistently on target with very tight groups.

I also put some bright yellow paint on the all black rear sight as we both found it hard to line up. Granted we are usually under a canopy, in the shade, while the targets are in the sunlight.

Just my observations after a couple weeks of ownership. I love the M&P 22 for practicing. I can go from it to my XDM 9mm without any problems, the feel being very similar.

Overall, I wouldn't trade this piece for anything.

 

[southchatham]

Test your firing pin by taking a snap cap or spent round, put masking tape on the rear and fire the gun. You'll see if your firing pin works. It will punch a hole in the tape. This works great for testing the timing on revolvers also. You can see if the firing pin is in the center of all rounds.

 

[bobkarno]

My gun was pretty greased up when I got it and it took a fair amount of work to really clean it up. I use Remington Shotgun Cleaner on my 15-22 firing pins and then I follow with remoil and then I blow all the excess out. You can do the same with your M&P22. Just point the little tube tip right into the firing pin hole on the breech and spray it out. Use some compressed air to get the crud out and then repeat. Then follow with the oil to lube. I like to blow the oil out so that I'm not making powder residue and oil mush once I start firing. I guess what I'm really trying to say is to go for a good cleaning before you send it in.